71687-38A COMMUNITY came together at the weekend to celebrate 30 years of a popular toddlers group.

Organisers of the Liden Parent and Toddler Group now 50-strong say it's been hard work but the smiles make it all worthwhile.

Gill Benwell has been on the committee for six years, the last two as chairwoman.

She said: "Some groups have struggled in recent years but we have been going really strong. That's thanks to the great support that we have had over the years from the Liden community. Everyone knows each other and it's really friendly."

Scores of children took advantage of the blue skies to have fun in the sun. Face painting, a raffle and wet-sponge throwing were just a few of the activities on offer.

Mum-of-two Adrienne Christopher, 44, of Barrington Close, lent a hand on a stall. Son Jamie, four, is a regular at the group. Adrienne said: "He loves coming here. It's a great place to bring children, especially on a wet winter's afternoon when they can't run about outdoors.

"They can also form their little groups of friends before they go to school."

Former member Hayley Brewer, 18, of White Edge Moor, popped in to rekindle memories.

She said: "They were certainly good days. I remember eating sand whenever we did art and craft work!" Anyone wanting to join the group can call Gill on 01793 651656.

*WHEN the group was founded, life for pre-schoolers was the same and yet different.

The toddler of 2004 is probably more technologically capable than many of the adults of 30 years ago.

Even today's three-year-olds tend to be capable of operating a video or DVD system, for example, to watch their favourite programmes again and again.

And whereas toddlers' toyboxes of the era of Edward Heath contained the likes of Weebles and Lego bricks, today's are more like to feature portable electronic games and talking Teddy beard stuffed with microchips.